Process for obtaining a high performance integral nixtamal product

Abstract

A process used for the depth thermal treatment in maize for producing High Performance Integral Nixtamal, a process for treating maize under conditions different from known ones and by which a new product can be manufactured which has been called High Performance Integral Nixtamal.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A process for producing High Performance Integral Nixtamal from maize, comprising:
 a) washing maize in the washing tank; 
 b) introducing the maize obtained in (a) to a reactor tank, 
 c) adding water at 60° C. and hydrated lime in a ratio of one to three parts per thousand of maize; 
 d) increasing temperature, by a heat supply, to a temperature between 90° C. to 100° C. in the reactor tank; when temperature is reached the reactor tank and after a time from 15 to 20 minutes the adding of heat is suspended; 
 e) maintaining the tank reactor for a standby time from 20 to 30 minutes after step d); 
 f) increasing temperature, by a heat supply, to a temperature between 115° C. to 120° C. and a pressure from 1 to 1.3 kg/cm 2  in the reactor tank and then, suspending the adding of heat; 
 g) maintaining the pressured tank reactor for a standby time from 5 to 10 minutes after step f); 
 h) reducing the pressure into pressured reactor tank to atmospheric pressure. 
 
     
     
       2. The process of the  claim 1 , wherein the obtained product in step h) is removed from the reactor and washed. 
     
     
       3. The process of the  claim 1 , wherein the washing water is filtered and recirculated to the washing tank. 
     
     
       4. The process of the  claim 1 , wherein the mixture of water, lime and maize at step c) is stirred. 
     
     
       5. The process of the  claim 2 , wherein the product is washed with purified water. 
     
     
       6. The process of the  claim 5 , wherein the product is milled.